Germany Calls for Widespread Strikes in Public Transport Sector

The Verdi union for service workers in Germany has called for nationwide warning strikes in the public transport sector next Friday, with some strikes continuing in specific regions on Saturday, as part of a strategy to pressure employers during wage negotiations.

The union stated that most German states will experience near-total shutdowns of local buses and trains operated by numerous municipal transport companies over these two days, which could significantly disrupt daily commuting for citizens.

The strike is scheduled to begin in the early hours of Friday and will continue in each region until Saturday night or Sunday.

Christine Behle, Vice President of Verdi, said: “It seems employers still do not realize that effective public transport cannot be guaranteed in the long term unless working conditions are decisively improved now. Colleagues urgently need relief, and employers need a clear signal that we are determined to fight for our demands.”

This warning strike is the second in the current round of negotiations. The first strike, held on February 2, caused a near-complete shutdown of local public transport in large parts of Germany.

Additionally, the union is conducting repeated regional strikes in some states and cities, most recently in Hesse and Bavaria, as part of a series of escalating measures to support workers’ demands and improve their conditions.

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